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She watched him for a few long seconds, her face golden in the porch light but still impossible to read. Then she turned and walked away, but she left the door open. Alex refused to let his shoulders slump with relief. He kept his head up and stepped inside.
When he closed the door, it was dark again. He heard the creak of floorboards as she moved around. A light came on toward the back of the house and her shadow stretched out as she moved down the hallway.
Alex took one step forward, unsure if he should follow or not. A couple of days ago, he would’ve taken it as an invitation, but whatever her kinks were, he didn’t think ice-cold sex was one of them.
He was right. Her shadow reappeared, and then Sophie, her hair smoothed down a little and the T-shirt covered by a little pink robe edged in white lace. This was the Sophie he was more familiar with, but when she turned on the kitchen light, he saw the circles under her eyes and the tightness around her mouth. She looked so vulnerable without her makeup and hair twist and prim little heels.
“How is your mom?” she asked.
“She’s fine.”
“Is she really fine, or do you just want to get back on the road?”
Alex bristled, but he tried not to snap at her. He’d obviously woken her up and she was obviously pissed. She poured herself a glass of water and leaned against the kitchen counter. He noticed that she didn’t offer him a drink.
“I just wanted to apologize,” he said. “When I came by earlier, I was pissed about the dedication, and I didn’t think about what that scene meant for you.”
“You mean that everyone in town now thinks I’m a whore and a home wrecker just like my mom? No big deal.”
“Sophie—”
“No, it’s fine. You were upset. It makes sense that you were focused on yourself and your family. I get that. Except that I was worried about you and your family, too, so I guess I’m just a fool.”
“What am I supposed to say?” he asked. “I’m sorry it happened, but I didn’t do anything wrong. There was nothing I could’ve done to protect you today.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong either!” she bit out.
“Your brother—”
“My brother didn’t do anything. He was just there. That’s the way it’s always been. We can’t even exist because that’s offensive to her. Do you know what it’s been like, living with that?”
“I think I do.”
“I don’t know if that’s true. She’s on your side, Alex, and even that was unbearable to you. Imagine what it was like for me as a little girl, to hear all those rumors she started. And now she’s doing it to me! How am I supposed to live with that? My entire job, if I still have one, is dealing with the people of this town. Not cattle or horses or even tourists, but the people who live here and know everyone and everything. About me.”
“Then leave,” he bit out impatiently.
“What?” she snapped.
“Leave. You’re a grown woman now, Sophie. There’s no reason for you to stay.”
“No reason?” Her laughter was sharp as a whip. “I have reasons, but I wouldn’t expect you to understand. You don’t think there’s ever any reason to stay.”
“That’s not fair.”
“I’m pretty sure it is.”
“I had to leave,” he snapped. “This place was killing me just like it’s killing you.”
“My family needs me. You wouldn’t get that.”
It was his turn to laugh. “I don’t get it? You’ve given up your
whole life to take care of two grown men who’d be fine without you. Jesus, Sophie. Live a little. For once!”
Her cheeks turned bright red. “I’m living just fine. Not everyone wants what you want.”
“Shit.” Alex glanced toward the dining room, then rubbed a hand hard over the back of his neck. “I saw the scrapbooks. Don’t tell me you don’t want more.”
